F.J. McElligott Secondary School in Mattawa, a small secondary school in northeastern Ontario, has achieved a significant milestone after many years of effort. For the first time in fifty years, the school has successfully established an all-women competitive hockey team.
Despite its modest enrollment of approximately 120 students, the school has faced challenges in recruiting enough female players to form a women’s team in the past. However, this time, the school was able to overcome this obstacle and field a team composed entirely of women, much to the delight of the players.
Defender Autum Webster remarked, “I had the opportunity to play with my friends and had a lot of fun with them.” Similarly, left-winger Autumn Wilson expressed her gratitude and happiness in being part of the high school team.
The school’s hockey program, led by physical education teacher and coach Cody Lacelle, has been integral in the formation of the all-women’s team. Lacelle noted that several of the girls on the team had never played hockey before, making this experience all the more remarkable for them.
The F.J. McElligott Voyaguers, through skills development, quickly found their footing and participated in a high school hockey jamboree in mid-February. This event marked a historic moment for the school, as the last women’s team did not travel for games.
Lacelle emphasized the importance of the opportunity provided by the team, stating, “We’re very lucky to have been able to put this team together. It’s provided so much opportunity. It’s very important that women have the opportunity to play hockey in a small town.”
Looking ahead, Lacelle expressed his confidence in the growth of the women’s hockey program at the school. The players themselves acknowledged that they are now inspiring younger girls in the small town who aspire to be part of the Voyageurs team in the future.
From forging new friendships to sisters playing together, the young women highlighted the importance of the bonds and memories created during the season. They emphasized that the experience was more about the relationships fostered rather than the scores on the ice.
Regardless of where their hockey careers may take them, the players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have played together as a team and look forward to continuing their journey with the sport.
The establishment of the all-women hockey team at F.J. McElligott Secondary School has brought joy and inspiration to the small town of Mattawa, with the hope of nurturing the next generation of female hockey players.